Pastelón de Batata y Cerdo (Sweet Potato and Pork Casserole)
A comforting and flavorful casserole featuring layers of mashed sweet potato and a savory ground pork filling, baked to golden perfection. This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 lbs Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 1 lb Ground pork
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 0.5 cup Sofrito(store-bought or homemade)
- 0.5 cup Tomato sauce
- 0.25 cup Green olives(pitted and chopped)
- 1 tsp Adobo seasoning
- 1 packet Sazón seasoning
- 0.5 tsp Ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp Dried oregano
- 4 tbsp Butter(melted)
- 0.25 cup Milk(or as needed for mashing)
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tbsp Olive oil(for sautéing)
- 0.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
- 1 cup Grated cheese(optional, for topping (e.g., cheddar, mozzarella))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil the sweet potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain well.
- 2
Prepare the pork filling: While sweet potatoes are boiling, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add the ground pork to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
💡 Tip: Ensure the pork is fully cooked and no pink remains. - 4
Stir in the sofrito, tomato sauce, chopped olives, Adobo, Sazón, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld.
- 5
Mash the sweet potatoes: Return the drained sweet potatoes to their pot. Add the melted butter, milk, and eggs. Mash until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
💡 Tip: For a smoother mash, use a potato ricer or food mill. - 6
Assemble the pastelón: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly over the bottom of the dish. Top with the pork filling, spreading it evenly. Cover with the remaining mashed sweet potato mixture. If using, sprinkle grated cheese over the top.
- 7
Bake the pastelón: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the casserole is heated through.
💡 Tip: If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil. - 8
Let the pastelón rest for 10 minutes before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓You can add a pinch of nutmeg to the sweet potato mash for extra flavor.
- ✓For a richer pork filling, use a combination of ground pork and finely diced pancetta.
- ✓Ensure the sweet potato mash is not too watery, or the casserole may become soggy.
🔄 Variations
- Add a layer of cooked plantains (maduros) between the sweet potato and pork layers.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the pork with seasoned black beans or lentils.
- Incorporate a tablespoon of sugar into the sweet potato mash for a sweeter profile.